Has anyone ever used the CMC PT-130 tilt & trim kit. I have got quotes from boat mechanics and they all told me they would charge in the ballpark of $900 to install a unit on my boat. I have a 1989 Tracker Pro-17 with a 40 hp Johnson. I have no problem lifting it up manually but when I am running I would like to be able to hit the button to smooth out the ride, instead of guessing where to set it before I take off. I can get the kit for $600 from BPS. It looks like an easy install. If anyone has ever used this kit I would appreciate your feedback. The link is below. Thanks.

Danny

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_1137_200002007_200000000_200002000_200-2-7

I would contact these guys http://www.twincityoutboard.com/ they quoted me $600.00 for the parts to put the factory trim and tilt on my 1990 40HP Evinrude. The installation was simple.

Not sure if it would help, but you can always check eopinions.

The CMC PT-35 is designed for outboards up to 35 hp but will work on a 40 hp; the design rating is for weight not HP.  I've installed several with 40 hp outboards with absolutely no problems & at $130 less.

Catt, is the install as easy as it looks on the manual?  Thanks for your input.

Yes it is

Suggestion be very careful to center every thing from the bottom of the boat not the top since this is the part that is in the water!

I have the CMC PT130 and have used it on a 115HP Evinrude originally and now on a 70 HP Evinrude that replaced the 115HP.  

The installtion was easy and I did it myself on a Saturday night after the kids went to bed.  The one thing that I would recommend is that you have a chain hoist or engine lift.  I connected my engine to the chain hoist and put the outboard under tension and removed the engine from the back of the boat.  Then I installed the tilt and trim and bolted the outboard to the tilt and trim.  

I have had the unit for 6 years.

Here are the problems that I have had with the unit.

1. The switch isn't water resistant.  It has a cap but water can get around the threads and into the switch.  This happened to me and the water shorted out the switch and the tilt and trim ran until the hyrdralic motor burned up.  I got the motor replaced once under warrenty and then I had to buy the second one before I figured out why it was happening.  I replaced the tilt and trim switch with a marine rated switch and caulked around the switch.  

2.  If you remove and install the motor enough times you will strip one or more of the threads because the threads are tapped into the aluminum.  

3.  There are two pressed in spring clips that hold the hydralic pump to the brackets.  I had one come out on the way home from the lake in December.  The motor falls down when a spring clip comes out.  Make sure that you use a transom saver with this unit.    

If I had to do it all over again I would buy the CMC unit.   I would also have dealt with the switch and used a transom saver.  Those two things would have probably saved me a lot of time and money.

The CMC PT-35 is designed for outboards up to 35 hp but will work on a 40 hp; the design rating is for weight not HP. I've installed several with 40 hp outboards with absolutely no problems & at $130 less.

I have a 2003 40 h.p. Mercury            3 cylinder/2 stroke will the CMC PT-35 be sufficiet enough or will I need the 130?  I guess what I'm asking, is my motor too heavy for the pt-35?  Any info will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks from the "Blue Crab" down here in Southeast, Texas

I got the PT-130 installed and everything works fine.  I wired the controls into the throttle and the bow, then cut out a hole for a marine rocker swith on the motor.  All I need to do now is drop the motor down about an inch so the prop will quit blowing out so much.  

Blue Crab that would be a no but i would not go above a 40 hp